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Alessandra’s anxiety returned. She worried something might go wrong and that she couldn’t handle it. Drake's care helped to reassure her. They would make it through the evening together with trust and communication.
Alessandra pulled on a long, one-shouldered purple velvet evening gown. Drake walked into the room in black slacks and a black button-down shirt. He rolled up the sleeves, showing off his strong, corded forearms, which she found ridiculously sexy.
“You look so stunning, bella.” Drake wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her collar. “I can’t wait to see what’s underneath.”
His hand slid down to cup her ass through the fabric as his kisses trailed down her neck to her cleavage. Alessandra stilled his progression even though her nipples tingled with excitement beneath the fabric.
“We don’t have time,” she said firmly, pushing him away.
Drake sighed and let her go. “I know, dolcezza. Into the mouth of hell we go. Let’s get this over with.”
Drake offered Alessandra his arm as they walked out of the elevator. The driver greeted them and opened the door of the sleek town car Drake had ordered for the evening. The driver raised the partition to give them privacy.
“Are you okay, Drake?” Alessandra asked at the storm brewing in her husband’s dark eyes.
“I haven’t seen Enzo in fourteen years. I’ve done so much with my life despite him. He might be my biological father, but he’s not my dad. However, he’s shaped me in a lot of ways.” Drake looked down at their joined hands. “I had everything as a popular, preppy rich boy from Lake Forest. A car accident after a football game introduced me to a dark world. Six years changed everything about who I was. You’re a miracle for having survived twenty-three years.”
She cupped her husband’s cheek. “You are a good man, Drake Walker.”
Drake pressed his lips against hers. His tight jaw betrayed his confident exterior, and his eyes reflected his inner turmoil.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right meeting with Enzo again?”
Drake chuckled wryly. “As if you gave me any choice in the matter. We’re meeting with Enzo at your insistence. Jerry asked me to contact him when Noah was in the hospital, and I refused him outright. But for you, I’m willing to make an exception. I just hope you won’t regret it.”
“Drake.” Alessandra stroked Drake’s arm, but he pulled away. “I’m sorry.”
“We both have our scars to bear, bella. I know you went through hell and back. You’ve heard my story, and I hope you understand why I kept it from you.”
They fell silent for the remainder of the ride. Drake’s leg bounced as he looked out the window. Alessandra occasionally glanced at him, but he didn’t look at her. The car stopped outside a loft apartment building between the Fulton Market and River districts.
“When would you like me to return, Mr. Walker?” the driver asked.
Drake looked at him with a vacant expression.
“We’ll text you in a few hours and let you know,” Alessandra offered.
***
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Password?”
“Il mio re,” Drake ground out and placed his hand against Alessandra’s lower back to convey she was his.
The doorman held up his hand. “Before you go in, I must pat down the lady to ensure she isn’t carrying any weapons.”
Alessandra crossed her arms as the burly doorman gave her a heated once-over. He stuck his tongue against his cheek salaciously.
“Absolutely the fuck not!” Drake pulled Alessandra firmly against his side. “No one lays a hand on my wife.”
“Rules are rules, putana.”
Drake reacted in a flash, pulling a knife Alessandra had no idea was hidden on his person. He held it against the portly man’s throat. She gasped and put her hand on Drake’s arm—the one not holding the weapon.
“You apologize to my wife and choose your next words very carefully, or they’ll be your last. I’ll make sure Enzo knows you insulted his daughter-in-law.”
The doorman flinched and gaped like a fish. “Le mie scuse—my apologies. I meant no offense to the lady or you, sir.”
